Pizza Patron posted comparable sales increases each month of 2009 leading to a 5.98 percent third quarter increase over 2008. The company cited its entrepreneurial spirit, expansion of new store models, and continued focus on creating a unique Latin experience in its stores for its increase in earnings.

“The ‘go get it’ attitude that embodies our team makes it easy for us to react faster to market demands than the larger chains can,” says Andrew Gamm, brand director for Pizza Patron. “The creative process is extremely short for us when it comes to taking ideas to market execution.”

Concepts such as Pizza Patron’s new “quick-service pizza” model, which has moved the company closer to the fast-food segment, have helped in the company’s positive growth. Those locations create more viable selling periods throughout the day and allow the company to better compete with fast-food chains for lunch and dinner convenience.

In addition, the company’s Latin focus gives it a competitive edge in the pizza segment by allowing the brand to share a slice of the Latin life with a wide range of customers. Pizza Patron has celebrated the diversity of the Latin culture and lifestyle in its stores since 1986, and continues to do so today. According to 2000 U.S. Census data, the U.S. represents the second largest Latino population in the world, and by the year 2020, one in five residents will be Latino.

“Our Hispanic brand focus continues to make us stand out from other chains,” Gamm says. “The unique Latin experience of our concept has strong general market appeal, and at the same time it allows us to make our Latino-Hispano customers feel right at home.”

Today, Pizza Patron operates 92 stores in six states and plans to have 750 stores nationwide within a decade. Approximately 93 percent of Pizza Patron restaurants in the U.S. are owned and operated by franchisees.